“There is also a danger that an authoritarian culture will imperil an incoming Labour government. I believe it is incumbent on all democrats in the party, including the Labour left, but also beyond it, to make a stand.”
Jon Trickett MP
By Matt Willgress
This week a range of campaigning organisations, Labour members and affiliates have supported an appeal for support for a statement entitled ‘Let the members decide – for Labour Party Democracy.’
The statement was launched at a massive online event making the case for Labour Party democracy, members’ rights and the trade-union link, and in the aftermath of the shocking exclusion of Jamie Driscoll from the longlist as Labour candidate for Northeast Metro Mayor.
The decision was soon condemned across the labour movement, including by fellow Mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotherham, Unite the Union General Secretary Sharon Graham, the Fire Brigades Union and many prominent local labour movement members in the region and beyond.
The Driscoll exclusion of course came on top of numerous other similar moves, including perhaps most prominently Keir Starmer’s railroading through Labour’s NEC a decision to deny Islington North the right to select their own candidate for the next General Election by blocking Jeremy Corbyn being a Labour candidate.
In response, a statement from the officers of Islington North CLP on 28 March noted ‘we reject the NEC’s undue interference in Islington North, which undermines our goal of defeating the Conservatives and working with our communities for social justice.’
But these are not isolated examples.
Under the current Labour Leadership members have too often been denied the option of selecting from a full range of candidates – too many candidates with significant support from trade unions and left members have been not reached a shortlist for often extremely dubious reasons.
The list of CLPs this has effected is now long, but includes Broxtowe, Milton Keynes North, Kensington and Chelsea, Camberwell and Peckham, Stroud, Hastings, Sedgefield, Bolton North East and more.
The statement reads as follows:
“We, the undersigned, note the Labour Party’s constitution states it is a ‘democratic socialist party’ (Clause IV).
We further note that Keir Starmer stated in February 2020: ‘The selections for Labour candidates needs to be more democratic, and we should end NEC impositions of candidates. Local party members should select their candidates for every election.’
We agree with his statement, and strongly believe that it should be the democratic right of constituency members to choose their prospective candidates.
With regards to the selection of Parliamentary and other candidates, we note the growing concern across our movement at the imposition of shortlists and/or the exclusion of popular local and trade-union backed candidates in numerous areas.
We therefore call on the NEC to confirm that the selection of candidates is the democratic right of local Labour Party members and must be upheld.”
As Jon Trickett MP recently commented, “I hope Jamie gets the right to appeal. If not, we must face the stark reality that no elected Labour official is safe. There is also a danger that an authoritarian culture will imperil an incoming Labour government. I believe it is incumbent on all democrats in the party, including the Labour left, but also beyond it, to make a stand. This should embrace every level of the party, including members of the shadow cabinet, the PLP, leaders in local government, the affiliated unions, local parties and activists.”
Now is the time to speak up – please spread the word!
- Join the chorus of voices speaking up for Labour Party Democracy, add your name to the “Let the members decide – for Labour party democracy” statement here.
- A model motion can also be viewed and circulated here.
- Matt Willgress is the National Coordinator of Arise Festival. You can follow Arise on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; see what events they have coming up here; and listen to the Arise Festival podcast on Spotify.
